Food container system with handle strap

ABSTRACT

The food container system can comprise a lid, tray, and strap. The strap can comprise signage, a handle, and two attachment ends on the sides of the handle. The signage can convey information to a user concerning certain product information and/or other information.

PRIORITY INFORMATION

This application claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) toU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/012,018 (filed Dec. 6,2007), the entirety of which is hereby expressly incorporated byreference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a food container system and, moreparticularly, to a food container system with a handle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many food vendors do not distribute their food products in open dishessuch as open plates or bowls. Instead, the food products are typicallyprovided in a sealed package. Rigid and flexible plastic containers canbe used to protect and display both perishable and fragile food itemssuch as sandwiches, salads and bakery items. These roles of plasticpackaging can be expanded to meet additional demands. Presentation,brand presence, consumer desires, added value to enhance commercialcompetitiveness, differentiation, imagery and psychology can all befactors in package design and application. Convenience and versatilitycontinue to shape the future of packaging, with consumers gravitatingtoward packaged convenience items. Thus, social and environmentalconsiderations can be advantageously included in the development processof plastic packaging. The provision of multiple compartments in avariety of shapes and utilities in rigid plastic containers is anexample of a useful advantage.

Rigid plastic food containers can be manufactured from Polystyrene,Polypropylene, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polylactide, PolyvinylChloride (PVC), or other rigid polymers. They can comprise multipleparts—e.g., a tray and lid—or they may be a one-piece construction witha hinge that allows one portion of the container to act as the tray andthe other connected portion to act as a lid. Plastic packages can bemanufactured in a variety of shapes and cross-sections: circular,rectangular, square, elliptical, etc.

The use of such plastics for holding heated food has many advantages,especially with rotisserie chicken applications. However, many currentlyavailable food packages have not been designed to cater to theconsumer's needs, for example, as related to the handling of containersystems for heated foods. Heating of the container contents can resultin high temperature fluids and gases, increased pressure build-up, andso forth. A hot container can thus be painful to touch. Such constraintsalso place limitations on the logistical elements such ascontainerization of large quantities of heated food product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The inventions described herein provide a variety of benefits over theprior art. For example, the containers described herein can includesuperior handling structures for consumers. Additionally, the containerscan have a compact design that is easily stackable into columns and/orrows for storage and transport. The container can have a design that isboth stackable when holding product, and when empty (sometimes in anopen configuration). Further, the containerization solutions can includemodular elements, adding to the versatility of the container systemsdescribed. This disclosure provides for a unique approach that achievesthese objectives, among others.

Accordingly, disclosed herein are embodiments of container systems withhandles for food containers. In one embodiment, a food packagingcontainment system is suitable for heated food items such as rotisseriechicken and the like, and includes a tray compartment, a lid member anda handle.

In further embodiments, the container system can include a plastic tray,a lid, and a flexible strap. The tray can have an upper surface and alower surface, and the upper surface can define a recess surrounded by arim. The lid can releasable couple to the tray, and can also oralternatively define a recess surrounded by a rim. The flexible strapcan include a handle portion, a first attachment portion, and a secondattachment portion. The attachment portions can be at opposite ends ofthe handle portion, and couple to opposite sides of the lower surface ofthe tray. The strap can further extend over the lid.

In another embodiment, a tray can support the entire weight of acontained item. The lid can attach to the tray by a releasably lockablesnap-fit grip, which is strong enough to support the entire weight ofthe contained item and the tray. The flexible strap can couple to thelid, and include two end portions surrounding a handle portion.

In yet another embodiment, a method of assembling a food container isprovided. Food can be placed into a recess of a tray portion of the foodcontainer. A lid portion can be coupled to the tray portion by engagingthe lid and tray in a snap fit to enclose the food item. A flexiblestrap can be extended over the lid and coupled to a lower surface of thetray portion to form a handle extending over the lid.

For purposes of contrasting various embodiments with the prior art,certain aspects and advantages of these embodiments are described above.Not necessarily all such aspects or advantages are achieved by anyparticular embodiment. Thus, for example, various embodiments may becarried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage orgroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheraspects or advantages as may also be taught or suggested herein. Thesystems and methods discussed herein can be used anywhere.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings and the associated descriptions are provided toillustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and do not limit thescope of the disclosure or claims.

FIG. 1 is a top and side perspective view of an embodiment containersystem comprising a lid, a tray and strap.

FIG. 2 is a top and side perspective view of the container systemshowing a disassembled lid and tray without the strap.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the strap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the container system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the container system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along section 6-6 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6A is a sectional view as that of FIG. 5 showing another embodimentof the strap.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the container system of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a top and side perspective view of another embodiment of thecontainer system showing the lid, tray and strap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a dome-shaped, rigid polymerconstruct food container system 1 having certain features and advantagesaccording to the present invention. In the illustrated embodiment, thefood container system 1 includes a lid 2 and tray 4, which are shownseparated in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the tray 4 can form theprimary recess into which heated food items, such as a rotisseriechicken, is placed. The lid 2, in turn, can be generally domed shape andis configured to extend over and around the item placed in the tray 4.In one embodiment, the lid 2 is generally transparent while the tray 4is not.

As depicted, the lid 2 and tray 4 can have a slightly elongated shape,defining a major and minor axis. As described herein, the major axisrefers to the longer axis of the lid 2 and tray 4 and extends in a“longitudinal direction.” As described herein, the minor axis refers tothe shorter axis of the lid 2 and tray 4 and extends in a “lateraldirection.” Finally, as described herein, the height of the lid 2 andtray 4 corresponds to a “vertical axis” and a “vertical direction”depicted as being perpendicular to the major and minor axes/directions.However, it should be appreciated that in modified embodiments the lid 2and tray 4 can have different shapes (e.g., round, square, rectangularetc.).

The depicted embodiments of the lid 2 and tray 4 include rims 31, 33that extend around the domed portions and recess formed by the lid 2 andtray 4 respectively. The rims 31, 33 can generally match, such that thelid 2 and tray 4 form a closed chamber when combined. Further, asdescribed below the rims 31, 33 can form various sealing mechanisms forconnecting the lid 2 and tray 4 together. Further, as depicted the lid 2includes a top surface 12.

The lid 2 and tray 4 of the container system 1 can be molded, throughthermoforming manufacturing techniques, from a single sheetline ofpolymer material work piece into a predetermined shape and thickness asrequired. The lid 2 and tray 4 of the container system 1 may also beformed, through known thermoforming manufacturing techniques, into acurvilinear geometry to thereby provide the end user with a variety ofpolygonal shapes.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 2 can further includea handhold 15, which, in the illustrated embodiment, extends across thelongitudinal axis of the lid 2. In the illustrated embodiment, onlysingle handhold 15 is illustrated on the lid 2 but in other embodimentsmore handholds can be included, the handhold can be eliminated orpositioned in a different location. Similarly, the tray 4 can include apair of handholds 17, 19, positioned on opposite sides of the tray alongits longitudinal axis. As with the lid 2, the tray can include more orfewer handholds in different positions. The handholds 15, 17, 19 caninclude rib elements 16 (depicted on only the lid handhold 15) toincrease their rigidity and strength. A user can then carry thecontainer system 1 using the handholds 15, 17, 19 and further pull thehandholds apart to release any locking mechanisms between the lid 2 andtray 4 to open the container system 1. To prevent damage to thecontainer system 1 and increase the strength of these components, thesidewalls of the lid 2 and tray 4 can additionally include ribbing 10,11.

FIG. 3 illustrates a preferred embodiment of a strap 20 that can be usedwith the food container system 1 of FIGS. 1-2, 4-7. As illustrated, thestrap 20 comprises a pair of attachment ends 22 and a handle 24 betweenthe attachment ends 22. The strap 20 can advantageously be made of paperor plastic or some combination of both. In a preferred embodiment, thestrap 20 is flexible. The attachment ends 22 are configured to attach tothe food container system 1 as will be explained below. In oneembodiment, the attachment ends 22 may comprise paper or plastic with anadhesive, or with glue. In another embodiment, the attachment ends 22are attached with a separate component, such as, for example, plastictape. The attachment ends 22 can attach the strap 20 to the lid 2 and/ortray 4 of the container system 1.

The handle 24 is advantageously not sticky to the touch. Accordingly, inone embodiment, the handle 24 may comprise tape and a paper backing. Asshown in FIG. 1, the handle 24 provides a user a place to hold thecontainer system 1. The handle 24 allows the user to hold the containersystem 1 while the handle and the user's hand are displaced a setdistance away from the container system 1 itself, which allows thecontainer system 1 to be more easily handled even when exceptionally hotor cold foods are placed inside.

The strap 20 can be coupled to the container 1 in numerous ways. Forexample, the strap 20 can be initially permanently attached (e.g., heatbonded, ultrasonic welding, etc.) to the container system 1 at one end,and the other end can then adhere to the container system 1 on anopposite side. In other embodiments, the strap 20 can be initiallypermanently attached at both ends, or alternatively can initially comeseparate from the container system 1. Where the strap 20 is at leastpartially initially attached, the strap 20 can be initially folded intoa compact position, facilitating stacking.

Where the strap 20 is initially separated, the modularity of the strapprovides a wider variety of design options. In some embodiments, thestrap 20 can be printable, allowing a vender to easily provide varyingsignage 26 (see FIG. 3). The signage 26 allows a user, such as a grocer,to easily place information on the container system. The information mayconsist of one or more of the following examples: advertising, branding,ingredients, product information, uniform product code (UPC), warrantydetails, nutritional information, etc. The signage 26 may be printeddirectly on the strap 20 or it may be attached to the strap 20 by othermeans, such as by a sticker. The signage 26 may also include acombination of printed information and stickers. The illustratedembodiment in FIG. 3 shows signage 26 on the handle 24 consisting ofbranding and a UPC. In another embodiment the signage 26 may be on theattachment ends 22 or it may be on both the handle 24 and the attachmentends.

The attachable strap 20 provides many benefits. For example, for a storeor grocer, the strap 20 can be used on different types of containersystems or only on similar types of containers. Additionally, the strapsignage 26 may vary such that it can be used on different products, suchas with chicken or fish, or the signage 26 may give specific productdetails such as weight, price, or date. Even more, the signage 26 may bevaried among products to differentiate brands or even flavors and stylesof the same product.

The strap 20 may provide the additional benefit of sealing the containersystem shut. For example, the attachment ends 22 may comprise tape andthe tape may be sufficiently long so as to go over a portion of both thelid 2 and tray 4. Further, in some embodiments, the lid 2 and/or tray 4can include their own adhesive at pre-designated attachment regions.Additionally, in some embodiments the strap 20 can adhere to the lid 2and tray 4 in regions substantially adjacent the seam between the lidand tray, as depicted in FIG. 6A (further described below).

In some embodiments, the strap 20 can form a tamper-evident featurewherein the strap 20 will break when attempting to open the containersystem 1. For example, when the strap 20 attaches to both the lid 2 andtray 4, and is sufficiently tight between the lid and tray, the strapmust break if the two are separated. A broken strap 20 can thus indicateprior entry, and an intact strap can indicate preserved freshness.Accordingly, the strap 20 can potentially provide the multiplefunctionality of: (1) facilitating handling of the container system 1,(2) providing signage, and (3) reliably sealing the contents. However,it will be clear from the description herein that the illustratedembodiment of the strap 20 can provide even further advantages and inother embodiments can include only one or sub-combination of thesefutures.

For the ultimate consumer, the strap 20 provides a handle 24 that allowsthe user to carry the container 1 without coming into contact withexceptionally hot or cold portions. The grocer is able to provide theseadditional benefits without compromising on shelf space as the strap 20is preferably thin and takes up minimal space. Other benefits andadvantages of the strap will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

In some embodiments, suitable for a chicken roaster, the strap 20 isapproximately 23 inches long and one and one half inches wide, with thesignage 26 comprising eleven inches in length, approximately centered onthe strap 20. The strap 20 may take on many different sizes anddimensions and the size may be optimized depending on various criteriasuch as the size of the food container system to which it will beattached. For example, in embodiments where the strap 20 is configuredto provide more stable handling, the strap can be wider at theattachment ends 22 and narrower in the handle portion.

Further facilitating handling, the strap 20 is depicted stretching overthe major axis of the lid 2 and tray 4. Providing the strap 20 along themajor axis can minimize the rotational inertia of the container system 1about the strap. However, in other embodiments the strap 20 can beprovided along another axis, for example where other design concernstake precedence or where the weight in the container system 1 isdistributed primarily over a minor axis. In further embodiments, thestrap 20 can extend across a diagonal of the lid 2 and tray 4, spanninga hypotenuse of the major and minor axes.

The strap 20 of the preferred embodiment is also advantageouslyinexpensive to manufacture. The strap 20 can be made of simpleconstruction, but can also include a variety of features as describedherein. As explained above, the strap 20 can be formed from a strongpaper strip with adhesive or glue forming the attachment ends 22.Additionally, the strap 20 can be a sticker with a paper backing at thehandle 24. The strap 20 can also be made inexpensively utilizing amultiple piece construction. For example, a paper handle can attach tothe container system with separate stickers as the attachment ends 22.

With reference back to FIG. 1, in the illustrated embodiment, the foodcontainer system 1 further comprises at least one guiding portion 40.The guiding portion 40 facilitates attachment of the strap 20 to thetray 4 and/or lid 2. The guiding portion 40 is configured to inform auser of an optimal location to attach the strap 20. The guiding portion40 may additionally allow the strap 40 to be attached more closely tothe center of mass of the container system 1 to increase the ease of usefor the user. As best depicted in FIG. 1, the strap 20 is close to thecenter of mass along the longitudinal dimension. In other embodimentsthe strap 20 can be placed close along the lateral dimensions orvertical dimensions. Along the lateral dimension, an additional oralternative strap 20 can be provided. Along the vertical dimension, thecenter of mass can be supported by attaching the strap(s) 20 at theappropriate vertical height.

In some embodiments, the guiding portion 40 comprises at least one notchin the container system 1; but in other embodiments the guiding portion40 can take other forms such as an aperture or groove. The at least onenotch may be in the form of a preformed notch, a slot, or a cutawaysection. The at least one notch is preferably located along a sealingengagement portion of the container system 1, wherein the sealingengagement portion comprises an area in which the lid 2 and tray 4 aresealingly engaged. In the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-7, theguiding portion 40 can comprise a recess in the grips 16, 17 19. Inthese embodiments the grocer is informed of the optimal location for thestrap 20 by the clear recess in the grips 16, 17 and 19. Thisconfiguration also allows the strap 20 to remain in close proximity tothe tray 4 and lid 2, thus increasing stability and ease of use. Inother embodiment, the guiding portion 40 can be formed by an aperture oropening in the grips 16, 17, 19. However, in alternative embodiments theguiding portion 40 can be formed in one or both of the rims 31, 33, awayfrom the grips 16, 17, 19. Separating the grips 16, 17, 19 from theguiding portion 40 can in some embodiments allow for the grips to have alarger size (as they do not include a aperture/opening/etc. for theguiding portion). Nevertheless, in other embodiments it may be preferredto include both the guiding portion 40 and the grips 16, 17, 19 alongthe major axis, for enhanced stability and leverage, respectively. Inother embodiments, one, more or all of the grips 16, 17 can beeliminated. In some embodiments, it is also anticipated that guidingportions 40 are eliminated.

Also in this configuration, the strap 20 can be used as an additionalseal between the tray 4 and lid 2 helping to ensure the quality of theproduct and inform the final consumer that the quality has in fact beenmaintained. Accordingly, in some embodiments the guiding portion 40 canbe positioned near a sealing engagement portion such as a tongue andgroove type joint between the lid 2 and tray 4.

With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 2 has geometry thatpermits even mating with the tray 4 at their respective peripheral edges(for example with a tongue and groove type joint). The mating betweenlid 2 and tray 4 can be releasably lockable and can be achieved using asnap-fit grip as best depicted in FIG. 6. As shown, the lid 2 caninclude a downward-facing opening or groove 36, and the tray 4 caninclude an upward projection or tongue 37. The opening 36 and theprojection 37 can thus be configured to engage together in a snap-fitgrip 35 (as depicted in FIG. 6 and further discussed below). Thesnap-fit grip 35 can form an interference fit between the opening 36 andthe projection 37. The snap-fit grip 35 can augment the interference fitby requiring the opening 36 to deflect in a region 38 prior to mountingthe projection 37. The deflected opening 36 and similar resultingdeflection of the projection 37 can provide a constant normal andfrictional force between the opening 36 and projection 37. Similarfunctionality can also be provided with other geometries, such as anupward facing opening on the tray 4 and a downward facing projection onthe lid 2. Further, although the opening 36 and projection 37 aredepicted as being substantially angular, in other embodiments they canhave smoother surfaces such as a partially circular shape incross-section. In other embodiments, corresponding notches and groovescan be provided on the projection 37 and opening 36 to provide anenhanced snap-fit between the lid 2 and tray 4.

FIG. 6 also demonstrates how a guiding portion 40 can be formed in atray 4. This sectional view along the 6-6 line of FIG. 5 also shows howthe strap 20 can be related to the container system 1 and moreparticularly to the guiding portion 40. In addition, FIG. 6 shows adifference in size and location of the attachment ends 22 from otherillustrated embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the attachment ends22 in the illustrated embodiments adhere to the bottom of the tray 4,supporting it from below. As noted above, in other embodiments, anothercomponent, such as, for example, plastic tape can be used to secure theattachment ends 22 to the bottom of the tray 4. In other embodiments,one or both ends 22 can be permanently attached to the bottom of thetray 4. In further embodiments, the attachment ends 22 can extend fromthe bottom of the tray 4 to the lid 2, attaching to both. In furtherembodiments the strap 20 can attach to a side of the tray 4, or to thelid 2 (as depicted in FIG. 8). As depicted in FIG. 6A, the strap canalso attach to both the lid 2 and tray 4 to provide a reliable sealand/or tamper marker, as described above.

FIG. 8, illustrates another embodiment of a container system 101comprising a strap 120. The food container system 101 may comprise atray 104 and a lid 102 configured substantially similar to the tray 4and lid 2 described above. The tray 104 and lid 102 may be connectiblysealed with a tongue and groove type joint 135. The strap 120 comprisesattachment ends 122, and a handle 124. The strap 120 may also comprisesignage (not shown). The attachment ends 122 are configured to attach tothe food container system 101. The handle 124 provides a user a place tohold the container system 101. In this embodiment, the attachment ends122 are configured to attach to the lid 102 of the food container system101. In some embodiments, the lid 102 can include flattened portions(not shown) configured to mate with the attachment end 122.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 demonstrates a method to allow the strap 120 tobe attached more closely to the center of mass of the container system101 to increase the ease of use for the user. In other embodiments wherethe strap 20 attaches to the tray 4, the attachment point may be belowthe center of mass of the container system 101, making the containersystem less stable and prone to rotate about the strap 20. Moving theattachment point of the strap 120 to at or above the vertical center ofmass of the container system 101 can stabilize the container system 101.This embodiment also shows how the strap 120 can be related to thecontainer system 101 at the lid 102 and it illustrates a difference insize and location of the strap 120 and attachment ends 122 from priorillustrated embodiments. Notably, as depicted the strap 120 connects tothe lid 102, which connects to the tray 104 only by the snap-fit grip135. Thus, the snap-fit grip 135 (as depicted) must support the weightof the tray 104 and the contents the tray holds. Accordingly, dependingon the strength of the snap-fit grip 135, this embodiment can bepreferably used with low-density products such as cookies, donuts,salads, and cupcakes.

Reference throughout this specification to “some embodiments” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least someembodiments. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in some embodiments” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill inthe art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

In the above description of embodiments, various features are sometimesgrouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereoffor the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in theunderstanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. Thismethod of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that any claim require more features than are expresslyrecited in that claim. Rather, inventive aspects lie in a combination offewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

Although certain preferred embodiments and examples are disclosed below,inventive subject matter extends beyond the specifically disclosedembodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of theinvention, and to modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, the scopeof the inventions herein disclosed is not limited by any of theparticular embodiments described below. For example, in any method orprocess disclosed herein, the acts or steps of the method or process maybe performed in any suitable sequence and are not necessarily limited toany particular disclosed sequence. For purposes of contrasting variousembodiments with the prior art, certain aspects and advantages of theseembodiments are described. Not necessarily all such aspects oradvantages are achieved by any particular embodiment. Thus, for example,various embodiments may be carried out in a manner that achieves oroptimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein withoutnecessarily achieving other aspects or advantages as may also be taughtor suggested herein. The systems and methods discussed herein can beused anywhere.

1. A food container system comprising: a plastic tray having an uppersurface and a lower surface, the upper surface defining a recess forreceiving a food item, the recess surrounded by a rim of the plastictray, a lid releasably coupled to the tray; and a flexible strapcomprising a handle portion and a first attachment portion and a secondattachment portion arranged at opposite ends of the handle portion, thefirst and second attachment portions coupled to the lower surface of thetray such that the flexible strap extends from one side of the lowersurface of the tray over the lid and to another side of the lowersurface of the tray.
 2. The food container system of claim 1, whereinthe tray comprises a grip portion positioned along the rim.
 3. The foodcontainer system of claim 2, wherein the grip portion includes a channelor opening and the flexible strap, at least partially, passes throughthe channel or opening in the grip portion.
 4. The food container systemof claim 3, wherein the lid further comprises a grip portion thatcorresponds to the grip portion of the tray, the grip portion of the lidalso comprising a channel or opening through which the flexible strap,at least partially, passes.
 5. The food container system of claim 1,wherein the tray comprises a pair of grip portions positioned alongopposite sides of the rim.
 6. The food container system of claim 5,wherein each of the grip portions includes a channel or opening and theflexible strap, at least partially extends, through the recess oropening in the handles.
 7. The food container system of claim 6, whereinthe tray defines a major axis and a minor axis, and the pair of gripportions extending along the major axis.
 8. The strap of claim 1,wherein the flexible strap further comprises signage.
 9. The containersystem of claim 1, further comprising a releasably lockable mechanism onat least one of the tray and lid.
 10. The container system of claim 9,wherein the releasably lockable mechanism is a snap-fit mechanism. 11.The container system of claim 1, wherein the first and second attachmentportions coupled to the lower surface of the tray through an adhesive.12. The container system of claim 1, wherein the first and secondattachment portions coupled to the lower surface of the tray by tape.13. The container system of claim 1, wherein the first attachmentportion is permanently coupled to the lower surface of the tray.
 14. Thecontainer system of claim 1, wherein the attachment portions comprise anadhesive that adheres to both the tray and lid, and the strap issufficiently tight between the tray and lid such that the strap willbreak when attempting to open the container system.
 15. The containersystem of claim 1, wherein the flexible strap is wider at the attachmentportions.
 16. The container system of claim 1, wherein the flexiblestrap extends attaches at diagonal ends of the container system.
 17. Afood container system comprising: a tray configured to support theentire weight of a contained item; a lid attached to the tray by areleasably lockable snap-fit grip, the releasably lockable snap-fit gripbeing strong enough to support the entire weight of the contained itemand the tray; and a flexible strap comprising a handle positionedbetween two end portions that are coupled to the lid.
 18. The containersystem of claim 17, wherein the strap further comprises signage.
 19. Thecontainer system of claim 18, further comprising a releasably lockablemechanism on at least one of the tray and lid.
 20. The container systemof claim 17, wherein the flexible strap is wider at the attachmentportions.
 21. The container system of claim 17, wherein the flexiblestrap extends attaches at diagonal ends of the container system.
 22. Amethod of assembling a food container, the method comprising placing afood item into a recess of a tray portion of the food container;coupling a lid portion to the tray portion of the food container byengaging the lid and tray in a snap fit to enclose the food item; andextending a flexible strap over the lid; and coupling one end theflexible strap to a lower surface of the tray portion to form a handleextending over the lid.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprisingcoupling a second end of the flexible strap to a lower surface of thetray portion.
 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising passing thestrap through an aperture or channel formed in the lid or tray portions.